New Ulm weekly review., 1887-08-31
THEsTORY OF 81 AlNCYFAT.' Z

[THESTORY or JANCYFAT.'' =
How Gen. Elliott Tried to Aake Social Queen
Of Her and Failed.
Atlantic Special.
Not long since there was a
brief notice in the papers
annoucing the death OF Mrs. r. B. Ell
lott, wife OF the negro Congress man
who few years ago took such an
active part in South Carolina politics.
Possibly no woman Of the present
century has experienced such q sud-
den change from indigence to opulencs
or has risen SO quickly in the social
scale. Mrs. Elliot was owned by a fam
lily OF Columbia, S. G. Her name was
Nancy, but on account OF her plump
figure she bore the suggestive appella-
ton of Nancy Fat" She was an
amlable, humble creature. Happy
and indolent, with no ambition or
pride of character, she was as con-
tented while engaged in the most
menial toll and drudgery as when
arrayed in fantastic and gaudy at
tire, she danced as belle OF the
shuckings. During the period OF Re
publican rule Gen. Elliott, while in
Columbia, was one afternoon driving
behind his splendid pair of bays. He
was dressed in his usual style OF black
broadcloth and lavender kid gloves.
AT the corner of one OF the streets he
saw a picture that proved to be the
key to his destiny 1t was s'Nancy
Fat" She had just drawn q bucket
OF water from the pump, and it was
balanced on her turbaned head, the
crystal drops trickling down her
brown face and neck. and she laughed
good-naturedly. Her skirts were
tucked high. and there was generous
display OF bare feet and ankles The
effect was instantaneous, and the Com
gressman in broadcloth was
hopelessly infatuated with the
merry, ignorant water-carrier- The
result was a speedy courtship
and marriage The transformation
was wonderful as it was sudden.
Grom the wash-tub and the cooking
stove she became mistressofa a nlagnifi-
cent home on one of the fashionable
streets OF Columbia. Gen. Elliott was
man OF brilliant intellect and un-
bounded ambition. He was one Of
the leading spirits OF the Republican
party, and was regarded as one OF
the most intelligent negroes who was
ever known In the South. He. was
from Boston, Mass; he was a finished
scholar and a successful lawyer. His
alliance with the untutored Nancy
caused general surprise. Yet she was
received by his friends with courtesy
and kindness. One day was passing
her house in company with her former
mistress when we espled a sight that
was droll and amusing. Beside; a
marble fountain surrounded by rare
exotics sat Mrs Elliott. She was, ar
rayed in custom of extreme ele-
gance. Peeping from beneath, her
skirts OF amber satin we plain
ly saw her bare, brown feet.
AS she saw us she quickly tucked
them under her skirts, and exclaimed
good maturedly: t.Now, old missis,
don't laugh at your Niger; YOU know
never did like shoes. If the General
saw me he would scold,. but every
chance I get just slip them off. All
the fnery can't make me forget the
happy days when was plain Nancy
Fat and now l am Mrs. Gen. Con-
gressman Elliott" Much amused, I'VE
passed on, and left her with her bare
feet in the damp sand OF the fountain.
A few years later Mrs. Elliott became
q prominent feature in the Republican,
society of the state and also figured,
conspicuously in Washington. Itwas,
during President Grants administra-
tion at one of the balls that she caus-
ed such a sensation on account of the
devoted attentions she received from.
certain prominent white politicians.
who. wished to make conspicuous,
their approval OF the social equality
law. The brilliant negro Congress-
man is, dead. And only a, few days.
ago the woman whom he endeavored
to elevate by all that wealth and
power could do died in poverty and
obscurity.